Cord rewinder for a water filter type vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A cord rewinder assembly for a wet filter type vacuum cleaner with a moist air discharge outlet includes a conventional cord rewinder and a deflector plate. The deflector plate not only shields the cord rewinder from direct contact with the moist airflow discharge but also functions to remove moisture from the airflow so that it can be utilized to cool the electrical components of the cord rewinder. Incoming air carrying dirt and dust is cleaned by passing the air stream through a canister of water and a series of secondary filters. The clean discharge air, which contains moisture and water vapor, impinges on the deflector plate and is redirected downwardly at a high velocity toward a cavity. The airflow enters the cavity at a lower velocity, passes beneath the deflector plate and reverses direction. The decrease in airflow velocity and the redirection of the airflow allows the moisture and water vapor to drop out of the airflow. The resulting dry airflow is safely directed across and through the cord rewinder to remove heat generated by the electrical components thereof. The heated airflow is then exhausted through a vent with a removable cover. The cord rewinder and deflector plate are coupled to and housed within a box-like panel that may replace the panel or fixture located over the discharge outlet of existing water filter type vacuum cleaners.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wet vacuum cleaner apparatus comprising a main housing having a discharge outlet for discharging moist airflow from said vacuum cleaner and a cord rewinder assembly connected to said main housing over said discharge outlet, said cord rewinder assembly comprising a cord rewinder and a deflector plate positioned between said discharge outlet and said cord rewinder for redirecting the moist airflow to remove moisture from the airflow. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cord rewinder assembly further comprises a panel for enclosing said cord rewinder and deflector plate, said panel being connected to said main housing. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cord rewinder assembly is retrofitted to said apparatus, said main housing having a fastener arrangement for connecting a vent panel over said discharge opening, said panel being connected to said main housing in place of said vent panel without modifying the fastener arrangement of said main housing. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said panel has a front, upper, side and lower walls and an open back, said deflector plate extending between the walls of said panel and dividing said panel into a first cavity located between said deflector plate and said open back, a second cavity located between said deflector plate and the front wall of said panel, and a bottom cavity located beneath said deflector plate, said bottom cavity connecting said first cavity and said second cavity. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first cavity has a smaller volume than said bottom cavity. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said panel has an opening for venting airflow from said second cavity. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said opening is a socket for securing a vacuum hose thereto. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a removable cover over said opening, said cover having ports provided therein for venting said airflow. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said deflector plate has upper, lower and side edges, said upper and side edges of said deflector plate being sealed to said upper and side walls of said panel, respectively, the lower edge of said deflector plate being spaced from said lower wall of said panel. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deflector plate redirects the moist airflow through about 180° to remove moisture therefrom. 
     
     
       11. A cord rewinder apparatus comprising a rotatable reel for supporting a power cord, means for coupling said power cord to an electrically-driven device, and means for cooling said rotatable reel and said coupling means, said cooling means including means for redirecting a moist discharge airflow to substantially remove the moisture therefrom prior to passing said airflow across said rotatable reel and coupling means. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said redirecting means comprises a deflector plate positioned between said discharge airflow and said rotatable reel and coupling means. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a panel for housing said rotatable reel and coupling means and said deflector plate. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said panel has a front wall and side, upper and lower walls extending from said front wall, and an open back, said reel and coupling means being located between said front wall of said panel and said deflector plate. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said front wall of said panel has an opening provided therein, and further comprising a cover having ports therein, said over being removably located over said opening. 
     
     
       16. A vacuum apparatus comprising a wet vacuum cleaner having a discharge outlet for discharging a moist airflow from said vacuum cleaner, a cord rewinder positioned over said discharge outlet, and means located between said discharge outlet and said cord rewinder for removing moisture from said moist airflow to form a less moist airflow and directing the less moist airflow over the cord rewinder. 
     
     
       17. A method of cooling electrical components of a cord rewinder of a water filter type vacuum cleaner having a moist airflow discharge comprising the steps of: redirecting the moist airflow discharge to remove moisture therefrom and form a substantially dry airflow; and   passing said substantially dry airflow over said cord rewinder.   
     
     
       18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the step of redirecting said moist airflow discharge comprises deflecting said discharge airflow from a first cavity having a first volume to a second cavity having a greater second volume to decrease the velocity of said discharge airflow, and changing the direction of travel of said discharge airflow through about 180°. 
     
     
       19. Method according to claim 18, further comprising exhausting said dry airflow from said vacuum cleaner after passing said dry airflow over said cord rewinder. 
     
     
       20. Method according to claim 17, wherein the step of redirecting said moist airflow discharge further comprises deflecting said discharge airflow with a deflector plate downwardly from a back surface to a front surface thereof to a bottom cavity positioned beneath said deflector plate and simultaneously reducing the velocity thereof then directing said discharge airflow upwardly into a front cavity located at the front surface of said deflector plate, said cord rewinder being located in said front cavity. 
     
     
       21. Method of retrofitting a wet vacuum cleaner with a cord rewinder assembly, said vacuum cleaner having a moist air discharge outlet with a fixture overlying the outlet, said fixture being secured over said outlet with a fastener arrangement, comprising the steps of: removing the fixture overlying the discharge outlet of said vacuum cleaner;   placing said cord rewinder assembly over said discharge outlet;   electrically connecting said cord rewinder assembly to an electrical circuit of said vacuum cleaner; and   mechanically securing said cord rewinder assembly to said vacuum cleaner using at least a part of said fastener arrangement.   
     
     
       22. Method according to claim 21, wherein said cord rewinder assembly comprises a deflector plate and a cord rewinder, and wherein the step of placing said cord rewinder assembly over said discharge outlet further comprises the step of positioning said deflector plate between said discharge outlet and said cord rewinder so as to redirect the moist discharge air from said outlet with said deflector plate and substantially dry the same. 
     
     
       23. Method according to claim 21, wherein said fastener arrangement includes a plurality of bolt holes formed in said vacuum cleaner, said bolt holes being used to connect the cord rewinder assembly to said vacuum cleaner.